Overview

• Nearly nine in ten working-age parents (87%) reported concern about food prices in mid-August, returning to levels last seen in late 2022.
• Concerns about energy costs were also elevated at roughly 81% across respondents, with winter heating bills expected to intensify pressure.
• Employed parents’ confidence in the future UK economy fell by 25 points to -32 in August, while confidence in present finances dropped 22 points and future household confidence fell to zero.
• Which?’s latest consumer insight tracker, conducted by Yonder on August 13–15 with over 2,000 UK respondents, links rising strain to back-to-school expenses and seasonal costs.
• Around 1.9 million households reportedly missed essential payments in a recent month, and Which? and debt charities urge people to seek free debt advice and contact providers for support.